The only way to have a friend is to be one....Ralph Waldo Emerson

Monday, June 4, 2012

My latest build & a "Living Wreath" tutorial

Welcome back, my friends...this post has been a long time coming

It all started with a vision and a bunch of pallets
no plans, just an image in my mind

I say with pride..mission accomplished!!!

This is my biggest "do it yourself" project to date..
super excited to share it with you along with a tutorial for making
the below pictured "Living Wreath"

presenting my Lil' Primitive Shanty

I built it from the ground up...DH helped me with the framing, then I did all the rest.
It's made entirely of reclaimed pallet wood, the framing is wood cut from an old water bed frame.
The first door I've ever built and the first time I have ever put on a tin roof, I can add two more notches to my tool belt ;)
Cost for this project = Zero Dollars


Just starting to ~move in ;)
I have lots of plans...will share as they transpire


Now I would like to share with you how I made my "Living Wreath"

you probably know by now that I am a make-do kind of person, I use what I have on hand

So the base of my wreath is a jar rack from the inside of a canner, I happened to pick one up at a yard sale a week ago for $.25 with intentions of making a hanging chandelier with it, well plans change


Using scrap chicken wire and tin snips I made the cage to hold the contents of the wreath,
it doesn't need to be perfect...just bend the chicken wire up around the edges, snipping it where you need to, to make it work


Now, I'm lucky enough to call the big woods home so finding sheet moss is an easy task for me..just one big rock in the woods provided all the moss for my project.
If you can't find moss in your area...you can purchase sheet moss at craft/fabric stores in the floral section

Simply line the inside of your cage with moss...overlapping your pieces so it is covered completely with no holes

I then filled the inside with potting soil and covered the soil with a doubled piece of burlap
(sorry the picture didn't turn out)
then bend and fold the chicken wire into the center of the back..use the ends of the wire to secure it

This is what the front of your wreath base will look like


Then with your finger..poke holes into the moss between the chicken wire for your plantings
I used Red Petunias, Ivy and White Alyssum, can't wait for it to fill out
I added a couple of American Flags and poked some Cherry twigs into the moss
Using one of the "handles" of the canner jar rack to hang my wreath


Many more projects in the making...my mind is flooded

And while I should be working on other things..I'm sure you'll find me out back, tinkering with my
Lil' Prim Shanty

Blessings,
Traci

22 comments:

  1. You are amazing, Traci!! What a great Lil Shanty -- love it!! The wreath looks perfect on the door. Very clever idea! Wish I had just a little of your talent...... :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. So creative. You have the juices flowing keep going.
    Cathy

    ReplyDelete
  3. Awesome wreath, and the building is awesome too! Very inspired (by you) to use things that are just laying around and make someting wonderful! =) Great job!

    ReplyDelete
  4. A great idea and beats a basket anyday.. Will be trying this thanx for sharing.. X

    ReplyDelete
  5. Wow Traci,,,you are amazing, that shanty is so cool and I love the living wreath!...thanks for sharing! ~Ronda

    ReplyDelete
  6. Even my husband liked this, so you passed the "man" test! This means you are now allowed use of power tools, wood, and know how. Good for you!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Love love your Shanty!
    You are amazing. I would move in. :)
    And the Living Wreath..Wow love it too.
    Make sure to share photos as it grows.
    Hugs
    Trace

    www.grannytracescrapsandsquares.com

    ReplyDelete
  8. The Prim mags need to put this in an issue! and keep with this girl on her mountain...she is sooo talented!!! Her prim country creativity is endless...first her charming early Wattle fence and now this prim perfect Shanty! I am in awe of you sweet Traci!!!!
    Fanfreakentastic job! TFS!!!! {{HUGS}}

    ReplyDelete
  9. It's awesome Traci!!! Love it! And your wreath is so cute!

    Carmen and the Primcats

    ReplyDelete
  10. I am impressed, you rock! I have never built anything or worked with wood. I love the fruits of your labor!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Traci~ Cute Shanty~ looks perfect in your woods~ just an outstanding job " Carpenter Gal" & the wreath is pretty~ creative with a capital "C"~ love it all~ I also say it should be in a magazine so all can see it~
    smiles
    Teresa

    ReplyDelete
  12. Wow, you are one talented Lady Traci. Love your Shanty and the fact that you built is is amazing. I can't even read a tape measure. And the wreath is so creative. Love it. Thanks for sharing. Have fun creating. Sounds like you are on a roll girl.
    Angela

    ReplyDelete
  13. You seriously amazement, if I could only have a scrap of your creativity....beautiful Traci!

    ReplyDelete
  14. You are my new hero:) Anyone who can build something like that from the ground up deserves and award. Way to go Traci!!!! I love the living wreath too. Thanks for the tutorial. It doesn't look too hard either. -Steph-

    ReplyDelete
  15. Looks great Traci! Good job!!! ~*~Lisa

    ReplyDelete
  16. Hi Traci:) Remarkable primitive creation! You did great girl, no surprise to me :o) With your mind so full of ideas, I'm ever anxiously awaiting more photos from you. Thanks for sharing with us.
    Hugs~Carol

    ReplyDelete
  17. Amazing creation!! I mean, I try small projects--you do a whole BUILDING!! And it actually stands and looks great!! They should really have you as a contributor to Primitive Place Magazine!!--Jan

    ReplyDelete
  18. You never cease to amaze me Girlfriend. I already knew you had that carpentry thing going on when you built your little log cabin....but you've taken it to whole new levels...I absolutely LOVE your shanty!! Awesome job!! So what goes inside the shanty??? I really love the wreath too - but wire nippers is another tool they've taken away from me here. ;o) Smiles & Hugs ~ Robin

    ReplyDelete
  19. Aapke hain par aap humare nahi, play bazaar satta king Chhoti si kashti lekar us samandar mein utar gaye hain

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for visiting & taking time to leave your kind words for me...♥♥

LinkWithin

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...